summary
Introduced
01/27/2026
01/27/2026
In Committee
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill creates the Colorado nuclear workforce development and education council (council) in the Colorado school of mines to help meet growing workforce demand in the nuclear energy sector. The bill establishes a related grant program (grant program) to provide grants to institutions of higher education for the development or expansion of nuclear engineering degree or certificate programs or course offerings. The council shall convene advisory sessions with stakeholders from the nuclear, educational, and workforce development sectors; implement the grant program; and contract with one or more third-party entities for staffing and operational assistance. The council may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations for council-related purposes. The state treasurer shall credit the gifts, grants, and donations to the Colorado nuclear workforce development and education cash fund (cash fund), which is created in the bill. The general assembly shall not appropriate general fund money to implement or maintain council operations or grant awards. The council shall convene and begin awarding grants only after the balance of the cash fund reaches or exceeds $500,000. The bill imposes requirements to report to the general assembly about the council's funding sources, grant program implementation, and other uses of the grant program money. The bill repeals the council, effective September 1, 2033, unless the council is extended following a sunset review.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Colorado Nuclear Workforce Development and Education Council, housed at the Colorado School of Mines, to address the growing demand for skilled workers in the nuclear energy sector. The council will operate a grant program to provide funding to eligible institutions of higher education for developing or expanding nuclear engineering degree or certificate programs and courses. The council will also convene advisory sessions with industry, education, and workforce development stakeholders and can accept gifts, grants, and donations, which will be deposited into a dedicated cash fund. Importantly, no state general funds will be used for the council's operations or grant awards; it will only begin its work and award grants once the cash fund reaches at least $500,000. The bill also requires the council to report annually to the General Assembly on its funding, grant program implementation, and how grant money is used, and the council is scheduled to be repealed on September 1, 2033, unless extended.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education
Sponsors (18)
Mark Baisley (R)*,
Scott Bright (R)*,
John Carson (R)*,
Marc Catlin (R)*,
Lisa Frizell (R)*,
Nick Hinrichsen (D)*,
Barbara Kirkmeyer (R)*,
William Lindstedt (D)*,
Larry Liston (R)*,
Kyle Mullica (D)*,
Amy Paschal (D)*,
Byron Pelton (R)*,
Rod Pelton (R)*,
Janice Rich (R)*,
Dylan Roberts (D)*,
Cleave Simpson (R)*,
Marc Snyder (D)*,
Ty Winter (R)*,
Last Action
Senate Committee on Education Refer Amended to Appropriations (on 02/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB26-045 |
| Senate Education Amendment L.001 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/17803/download |
| Fiscal Note FN1 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/111344/download |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/110965/download |
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